Community leaders emerge from Master Water Steward program
By Dayna Ball
Raised near the Mississippi River, Tessa Anttila always had a great appreciation for water. Because of her native roots, she felt protective of the natural resource growing up. When she moved to the city as an adult, Anttila wondered how she could transfer her appreciation for water to an urban setting. That’s why she started looking for ways to get involve with local water issues and came across the MWMO.
Like Anttila, Rachel Johnson was searching for a way to be more involved in her community. She wanted to develop a skill she could share with people in her neighborhood and use to work with local organizations.
The two turned their aspirations into action and joined
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At the end of the program, each member completes a capstone project that reflects what they’ve learned throughout the training and improves stormwater management in their community
Although graduation from the program is still months away, the warmer weather makes summer a popular time for future Master Water Stewards to crank out their capstone projects.
For Anttila and Johnson, finding an exciting capstone project wasn’t hard to do. The pair were kind enough to let me document the construction of their BMPs, and I caught up with them afterwards to discuss their experience in the Master Water Steward Program.
The physical BMP component of their capstone project had multiple elements. Prior to the project, rainwater runoff from Anttila’s house, garage, and neighbor’s house pooled in her driveway, which made the driveway somewhat unusable and even led to flooding problems in her basement. To address this issue, Anttila and her partner decided to replace their concrete driveway with permeable pavers to allow rain water to soak in between the bricks and into the ground. Although permeable pavers are one of the more pricey BMP options, they are highly
The article “Water Works”, published by Orion Magazine and written by environmental specialist Cynthia Barnett intends to inform the reader anyone can make water an important factor. Overlooking it has become common many people in the United States have adapted to through the changes that have occurred in society over time. At the beginning of her article, she describes an area that does not make water care a priority, whereas in another location they make it very evident water is important. The location she describes is gloomy, grey, and is a populated area that has old water systems that are damaging environmental factors. Barnett continuously emphasizes that people are the ones who can help restore nature. This is at a less cost than
With the abundance of clean water in Seattle, civilians would go into shock if they suddenly lost access to the utility. The fictional events in the film Tambien la Lluvia take place during the Cochabamba Water Wars, in which the city government of Cochabamba dramatically raised the rates of water bills by over 35%, which sparked violent riots among the lower class. This film explores a question that concerns our environment’s limited resources: How and should the world ration and conserve fresh water?
This capstone course concludes with a research Team Project that starts during the first week and continues throughout the duration of the class. It culminates with the submission of a formal team report and an oral presentation by each team during Week 7, and Peer Reviews in Week 8.
In the book The Big Thirst, Charles Fishman addresses the key issues of how water is abused in areas, like Las Vegas, and the era of “easy” water is over. Fishman explains where the largest amount of water is located and water’s presence in space. His book is mainly composed of case studies showing how water in certain areas, like Las Vegas and India, has been dwindling and the absence of preparation in those places when the water is almost gone. Lastly, he talks about the misconceptions of tap water and the lack of understanding communities and people in power have about the future of water. Fishman wants the reader to be crystal clear on how water has come to this point, the issues of water shortages, and the solutions to water problems.
During the campus tour, hearing students talk about learning labs and project teams highlighted an exciting atmosphere of a collaborative, impassioned pursuit of knowledge. Watching the Dragon Day parade or reading about CUAppDev’s exploits were reassuring testaments to learning at Cornell as an innovative, fun, and symbiotic experience. Akin to the spirit embodied by organizations such as the Cornell Public Service Center, it’s here that I hope to utilize my education in service to the community. At Cornell, I’m confident my aspirations will help make others’ dreams come true,
The current natives are unable to truly live off of the land like their people once did. In response to this problem, a Lakota family has started a grassroots group called, Mni, to start a water project. One of the grassroots groups
Imagine life without water, what affects do you think will come? Water is not only an important source of nature but a necessity to living life through human society. Our group believe in the importance of water and realize that without Central Arkansas Water the future for our area would lack in a necessity in daily living. We wanted to know more about the complications CAW experiences, the current improvements to the system, and the future plans that will lead Central Arkansas to a new level of water enterprise. In the water sector of Infrastructure there are many important sub-sector to the transportation of water, but water treatment is the most important in our Central Arkansas area.
Additionally, Rachel loves to go shopping with friends and chat on the phone. Furthermore, this past summer Rachel has worked in Nagilla Summer camp since she greatly enjoys working with children and Kiruv . She is currently working in a local Jewish day school as a teacher’s assistance for first and third grade boys. However, Rachel’s real passion is helping others see the beauty in Judaism. Showing them what Judaism has to offer. She aspires to work in Kirov and make a difference to people’s lives. She ultimately will like to have an open home where people should feel at ease to just come and speak about anything and everything. Though she is young and inexperienced her determination to succeed and make a change drives her to keep learning and growing. she is like that tiny drop of water in the huge ocean creating a ripple effect, touching others and their life’s. One can ask themselves what difference can I make I am only one individual but in reality one person
In undergrad, I volunteered my time as a teacher for the Saturday Science Academy on the campus of Charles R. Drew University. My work with the high school students reminded me that to make a difference, you must first care about the individual and understand their circumstances. The Saturday Science
Globally, over seven hundred and eighty-three million people do not have access to clean water (The Water Project, 2016). Millions of people have to struggle endlessly to fill up pails of water for themselves and their families; however, this does not happen in America. Water contamination and access, or lack thereof, is a third world issue. The United States is a global empire, wealthy, and the land of opportunity; Flint, Michigan became a local cesspool, impoverished, and without basic drinking water. The visual of desolate villagers walking miles for water is not the universal or unique image anymore. The ordinary town of Flint became a national icon for water scarcity and paranoia. Water contamination, disease outbreak and widespread panic
Everyday, billions of people use water all over the world. They use water in drinks and food. They use water for bathing and hygiene. They use water in agriculture and industry. They use water for so many things. However, there are many problems with the usage of water around the world. In his editorial, “Our Water System: What a Waste”, Michael E. Webber explains how America has a water problem, and how that problem can be solved.
The Water and Environmental Technology major is a newer program, which made me a bit concerned at first. However, I have talked to and heard from present and past students at Thaddeus whom despite this being a newer program have still received help from many sources and it doesn’t seem to hinder or have hindered them in any way while being a student or getting a job in the profession. The video explained that there is a lot to learn concerning water systems, water treatment, and distribution of water, wastewater treatment, how it’s conveyed, water quality, and the environment. I love the environment and I think it would be very cool to learn about the processes concerning our water and how the environment is involved. I am also
When referring to Arizona’s water Kris Mayes, chairwoman of the state’s utility regulatory panel once said, “How do you say just how valuable water is in an arid state like Arizona?” she said. “It’s like the credit-card commercial-it’s priceless” (McKinnon). She was right, because in a dry state like Arizona, water is pretty important. To say water is ‘pretty important’ for the world is an understatement. We use water to function. And when we think of water we think of saving it. Keep the faucets from dripping or turn off the water while brushing your teeth. There are numerous tips for water conservation, but people don’t often think of the damage that is already done. Damages like ‘dead zones’. Dead zones in the ocean have been around for
Being given the opportunity to be active in my community through service, has opened my eyes to the simplicity of life and love everyone has for each other. It was hardly imaginable that a single bottle of water, a pair of shoes, an expo marker, one picture, and a carved rock could have significant impact on one’s life. I chose these items to share because they are the items that not only tell the story of my service experience, but also the story and legacy of my service agency, WaterStep.
It is the policy of Western Governors University (“WGU”) that student Capstone projects should not be based upon, and should not include, any proprietary or classified information or material belonging to your employer or any other organization (“Restricted Information”) without appropriate authorization.